DATE: July 11, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Jean M. Rousseau, County Administrative Officer / Emergency Services Director
SUBJECT: Termination of the 2017 February Winter Storms Local Emergency in Fresno County
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt Resolution proclaiming termination of the 2017 February Winter Storms local emergency in Fresno County.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will terminate the local emergency, termination will not adversely impact State disaster assistance programs for eligible damages.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
DISCUSSION:
Commencing on February 16, 2017, high water releases into rivers and streams began to cause stress to the levee systems that protect community residents and property throughout the County. In particular, the releases caused stress to the levee system operated by the Tranquillity Irrigation District (TID) that protects the area of Tranquillity, threatening residences, businesses, and public facilities.
On February 21, 2017, pursuant to California Government Code (GC), Section (§) 8630 and Fresno County Ordinance Code, Chapter 2.44, due to the continued threat to the public and natural resources, and the sustained need to deploy County resources to assist in the likely breach of the levee system, a local emergency was proclaimed by the County Administrative Officer as the Emergency Services Director. The proclamation was forwarded to the Governor and the State Office of Emergency Services.
On February 28, 2017, as authorized by GC, §8630 and Fresno County Ordinance Code, Chapter 2.44, your Board proclaimed and ratified the existence of a local emergency.
Both GC, §8630 and Fresno County Ordinance Code, Chapter 2.44, required your Board to review the need to continue the local emergency status at least every 30 days until terminated. Beginning on March 28, 2017, your Board began adopting Resolutions proclaiming continuation of the local emergency status.
During the local emergency, staff from the County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Emergency Services, and Public Works and Planning worked with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, TID, and the State Department of Water Resources to mitigate the threatened levee breach and prepare for evacuations should they become necessary. County staff has monitored water releases daily and regularly communicated with water agencies on both the Kings and San Joaquin River systems. At this time, water and levee agencies along both river systems are reporting that there are no significant issues. Current flows are well within the capacity of the river and levee systems.
It is now recommended that the 2017 February Winter Storms local emergency be terminated. Approval of the recommended action will terminate the local emergency, consistent with GC, §8630 and Fresno County Ordinance Code, Chapter 2.44, which requires termination at the earliest possible date. Termination of the local emergency will not adversely impact State disaster assistance programs for eligible damages.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #37, June 20, 2017
BAI #35, June 6, 2017
BAI #31, May 16, 2017
BAI #34, April 25, 2017
BAI #24, March 28, 2017
BAI #26.1, February 28, 2017
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia De La Rosa